personal thoughts on family, faith and work

Archive for the month “June, 2012”

I read a Twitter status a couple of weeks ago which just said ‘good morning God’ with a link to a picture. The picture was of a beautiful sunrise over a beach in America somewhere. It made me smile.

I’ve recently got back into taking photos since getting a new camera at the end of last year, and going through them I’m staggered at the beauty of God’s creation. From the tiny detail of wild flowers and the intricacies of insects to the wide landscapes that have been created by a hugely imaginative God. The pictures here were taken while on holiday in Cornwall at the beginning of the month.

Sometimes we take all of this for granted. Much goes by unnoticed, partly due to the busyness of life, but also because flowers and insects are so common – we don’t usually give them a second look.

How much more amazing then, is the God that created us – each person being unique. And what’s incredible is, the same God that made these ‘insignificant’ things, that are only around for a short period of time, is interested in us.

How much more then, do you think God cares about us? The more I think about that question, the harder I find it to answer.

Matthew 6 v 26-30Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

During the last week in May I was in Harrogate at a New Wine Leaders conference for three days, back at work for a day and then off on holiday to Cornwall – so (while on holiday), I’ve finally got a chance to write up my thoughts on the month of May.

There has been much to be thankful for this month, much to think through and also some changes at work. All of which are pretty exciting

Family: We have had some lovely times together as a family this month. We went to see ‘The Wizard of Oz’ show at the start of the month, which was excellent. We have had some lovely walks with my sisters family – one was a nine mile walk around ‘Darling Buds of May’ country in Pluckley. This was the longest walk the boys had been on – and they did brilliantly.

James went on his school trip to the Isle of Wight for a week which was great for him – he really enjoyed it – but was a little strange for us as it left the house rather quiet

Faith: Church has been good this month. Our Overflow service had the largest worship band we have ever had and I thoroughly enjoyed writing some parts for the brass section that we had. This meant that James was able to join in on his saxophone for the first time which was fantastic for me to see. Hopefully the first of many times he will be playing

For three day in the last week of May I was at the New Wine Leaders conference in Harrogate. This was a time to really get to know people that went better over food and drink and also to re-asses my thinking on where the church is and how we could be serving the community more effectively. Some of the sessions were rather intellectual, but the content was excellent – lots to digest and work through when I get back home

Work: I continue to be busy at work with various projects which I’m enjoying. Have increased my hours from this month which will help give me the time to get through the work load more effectively. I will reduce my teaching a little to offset the extra hours I’m doing at the office.